It’s Japan Month here at GeekOfAllTrades!
So to get everyone started, lets talk about the season of anime that came to an end most recently last year. (2014)
There’s so much anime available nowadays, that it can often be overwhelming to decide what to look for and watch next! Fear not brave reader, for thanks to the magic of Seichi Junrei Map, who conducted a survey of men and woman between the ages of 15 and 49 and the PR times (who kindly tabulated the info for us!) we can harvest the opinions of the Japanese themselves. (What better source?)
10. Psycho-Pass 2 (16.3%)
The sequel to the popular Psycho-Pass, where the worlds technology has advanced to a level where our mental states are constantly monitored and if there exists a chance that you’re capable of crime you’re preemptively arrested, or even killed if your psychological hue is “Dark” enough. What made the first series interesting is the relationship between the officers and their “cloudy hued” charges who are tasked with the apprehension of criminals who have somehow circumvented the early warning system. For those who’ve watched the first season to completion, you will know there are plenty of unanswered questions that the second season can follow up on
9. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal (16.6%)
A reboot of the 1992 original, clearly there is still a big enough Sailor Moon following in Japan to generate hype for it’s new incarnation. This new Sailor Moon anime commemorated the 20th anniversary of Sailor Moon and follows the original cast through a re-imagined origin story arc. Whilst we haven’t watched it ourselves, we’ve been told by rabid fans that this incarnation is worth a watch if you are a fan of the classic.
8. Parasyte: The Maxim (17.2%)
The Intentionally misspelled Parasyte is the animated version of an old manga which ran from 1988 to 1995. The story revolves around a mysterious group of parasitical aliens, one of which partially infects the main character of the show, granting him bizarre shape shifting powers. Overall a very dark and gory series, but with a compelling storyline. The alien parasite who replaces his right hand is also available as a bizarre hand puppet… if that’s what floats your boat.
7. Sword Art Online 2 (17.8%)
The second season to Sword Art Online, an intriguing anime based on the concept of players getting trapped in an MMO world and unable to log out. Whilst some may compare this to earlier classics like .hack//SIGN, I find the show overall contains far more action and character development. This newer season focuses around the MMO “Gun Gale Online” a gritty futuristic post apocalyptic MMO instead of the usual high fantasy fare the first season preferred.
6. Terra Formars (18.4%)
An interesting, if somewhat gruesome Sci-Fi series whose title involves more fun with spelling. It was adapted from a manga about terraforming Mars using cockroaches. Whilst all goes to plan originally, The roaches mutate after several generations, growing larger and many becoming violent. Earth responds by dispatching of a team of genetically modified humans to the planet on a mission of hyper-punching to but the bugs in their place.
5. Yowamushi Pedal Grandroad (Season 2) (18.7%)
At it once again, the Japanese prove that the most interesting stories can come from the most unexpected places. This newest installment of theYowamushi Pedal series of tales proves there’s still room in the world of anime for a series about something as run of the mill as bicycle racing, with the typical “over the top” sports anime flair we’ve all come to know and love.
4. Magic Kaito 1412 (19.3%)
For those of you who watched and loved the classic anime Detective Conan, you can’t afford to miss Magic Kaito! This series is an adaptation of the manga by Gosho Aoyama, who’s also the artist behind the Great Detective Conan Manga. Much like his much smaller parallel universe compatriate, Kaito has a mystery to solve and he takes on the persona of the “Phantom Thief Kid” to learn the truth about his father’s death.
3. Fate / stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] (20.5%)
Another installment and re-telling of the long-running Fate franchise. The show focuses on warriors of legend (Arthur, Hercules, etc…) fighting for ownership of the mystical wish-granting artifact known as the Holy Grail. Each iteration is another retelling of philosophical quandaries, super-epic battles, and gorgeous animation.
2. Gundam Reconguista in G (22.6%)
It’s no secret that the latest installment in the Gundam multiverse, (The more comonly called) G-Reco has been seen as controversial. It takes a different stance to modern anime, far more colorful than contemporary anime and generally reverts to paradigms more reminiscent of the 80s and 90s than anything you’d see today!
That is however, why it’s brilliant. It sports some of the most beautiful art in the franchise and demands your full attention to get the most out of it, not to mention a gripping story-line that immediately grabs you.
1. Nanatsu no Taizai (The Seven Deadly Sins) (23.8%)
And here it is folks, Japan’s most enjoyed show of their Fall. The “Seven Deadly Sins,” is about a group of evil knights who conspired to overthrow the kingdom of Britannia. Legend has it that they were eradicated by the Holy Knights, although other darker tails claim that they still live. Fast forward to ten years later, the Holy Knights have staged a coup d’état and assassinated the king, becoming the new, tyrannical rulers of the kingdom. Elizabeth, the king’s third daughter, sets out on a journey to find the “Seven Deadly Sins,” and to enlist their help in taking back the kingdom.
This action packed anime is a strong favorite to fill the void left behind as golden oldies Bleach and Naruto come to their final conclusions respectively. Whether it actually catches fire on the Western side of the world is another question. However I think it wont be long before we see 7 Deadly sins cosplays springing up at local conventions like Rage and ICON.
So there you have it. Ten anime’s to keep an eye out for!
Hopefully with this list you can scribe up a shopping list of your favorites to keep yourself entertained!